The Evolution of Pixar Movies: Unveiling the Impact of Elemental Challenges, Addressed by the Chief Creative Officer
Revitalizing Pixar's Creative Vision: Chief Creative Officer Addresses Elemental Concerns, Setting the Stage for an Exciting Transformation
Summary
Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter acknowledges the need for the studio to shift its focus and double down on the themes that have resonated with audiences in the past.
Despite its initial criticism for its loose storyline, Elemental gained momentum at the box office after a disappointing opening. However, it is still regarded as one of the less impressive projects by Pixar. Pixar's more recent films, including Elemental and Luca, have deviated from the simplicity of their earlier works, emphasizing the studio's urge to recapture its origins and address real-world themes.
Pixar's Chief Creative Officer, Pete Docter, highlights the changes in store for the studio's movies following the release of Elemental. Docter, the mastermind behind successful Pixar projects like Monsters, Inc., Up, and Inside Out, assumed the position of executive leader at Pixar in 2018, taking over from John Lasseter. Elemental is the latest film to hit theaters under the Pixar brand. Despite overcoming challenges at the box office, this movie sparked a discussion about the studio's trend of disappointing films, including last year's failure, Lightyear.
In an interview with The New York Times, Docter discusses the upcoming shifts in Pixar's future films after the release of Elemental. He explains that classics like Toy Story rely on "ideas that we all carried around as kids." However, Docter believes that Pixar now needs to reevaluate the stories they tell and "recommit to what initially connected with audiences." Read Docter's full quote below.
Pete Docter is Right – Pixar Needs A Return To Form
"Elemental" has resonated with many people, which brings me immense joy. However, it has also prompted us to reevaluate our current projects. What type of films do we truly aspire to create? Personally, I believe it is crucial for us to embrace and further develop the elements that enabled us to connect with audiences from the very beginning.
Unlike other Pixar movies, the latest film takes a more abstract approach with its portrayal of the Elemental world, comprised of four different types of element-folk: fire, water, earth, and air. Initial reviews criticized the movie for its somewhat disjointed storyline, but its reception improved significantly after its release in theaters. Despite a disappointing box office opening, the film unexpectedly gained momentum in the following weeks. However, even with its box office recovery, Elemental is still considered one of the weaker projects in Pixar’s impressive oeuvre.
Elemental is not the only movie that deviates from Pixar's successful formula of straightforward storytelling. Departing from the norm, last year's Turning Red took a more personal approach and presented a unique tale set in a real-world setting intertwined with mythology. When compared to the insect-centric world of A Bug's Life or the unconventional rat-human team-up in Ratatouille, it becomes evident that these films are more easily comprehensible for a younger audience.
Drawing a comparison between Pixar's recent releases and their earlier works brings to light an undeniable truth - Pixar must revisit its origins. While Elemental and Luca were commendable additions, what truly set Pixar apart was not fantastical worlds but the relatable and thought-provoking themes derived from real-world issues, carefully adapted for younger viewers to resonate with. Themes such as the bond between parent and child (Finding Nemo), the impact of climate change (WALL-E), and the journey of self-discovery (Toy Story 3) elevated Pixar's storytelling prowess. It is encouraging to see that Docter intends to recapture this essence in future endeavors.
Source: NYT
